Flow Charts

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Flowcharts are great. You can create a flowchart using a sheet of paper, post it notes, or even a software program that allows you to drop and drag shapes. The most important thing to know about flowcharting is that anyone can do it, if you have the time and patience to ask questions about how a process works.

To create a good flowchart you can use direct observation techniques such as watching a process from beginning to end. This is great if the activities occur within a short period of time and in the same place.

If the activities take place over several hours or locations, you may consider adding a flow sheet that accompanies the patient or process to document each step in the process (and time).

Typically, a macro flowchart is built first. This allows you to identify at a high level the area where the improvements can be targeted.

Micro flowcharts are used to specifically step through each detail about a process. A good analyst will recognize the opportunity when completing the interview from the people in the process, after all, they know where the problems are, they experience in their work every day.

Here are some typical signs used in flowcharting.

Let Michigan Healthcare Improvement, LLC help you with your flowcharting needs. Contact us today